The Paralympic flame for next year’s games in London will be created in a ceremony in Stoke Mandeville, the birthplace of the Paralympic movement, 2012 organisers have announced. It will be created from four separate flames lit in the capital cities […]
Care watchdog chiefs ‘will not resign’, despite new criticism
The leaders of England’s care watchdog say they have not considered resigning, despite facing heavy criticism from MPs over their organisation’s performance. Members of the Commons health committee published a damning report this week, criticising the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for […]
Government sidelines DPOs in social care ‘engagement exercise’
The government appears to have sidelined disabled people’s organisations from a crucial “engagement” exercise aimed at hearing the views on social care reform of service-users, carers and those working in the care industry. The Department of Health (DH) has appointed “key […]
Some councils ‘have found ways to protect disabled people from cuts’
Some local authorities are doing far better than others in protecting disabled people from the impact of budget cuts, according to a new report. Coping With The Cuts – written by the thinktank Demos for the disability charity Scope – ranks […]
EHRC harassment inquiry: Hate crime murder case highlights need for change
Fresh concerns have emerged over the way the police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) deal with disability hate crime, in the week that a major inquiry called for action to address the issue across the criminal justice system. The Equality and […]
Welfare reform bill: Peers hear of ‘terror’ and ‘anxiety’ over DLA plans
Many “terrified” disabled people expect to lose their independence because of measures within the government’s welfare reform bill, disabled peers have told a Lords debate. Five disabled peers described the fear, anxiety and even terror expressed by disabled people about aspects […]
Council ‘is using pilot scheme as cover for cuts’
A government pilot project intended to empower disabled people and give them more control over their support has instead caused anxiety and fear among many of those taking part. Right to Control (RtC) is being piloted in seven “trailblazer” areas across […]
EHRC harassment inquiry: Inquiry ‘is my proudest moment’
The disabled campaigner who led the equality watchdog’s 18-month inquiry into disability-related harassment says he hopes its report will finally force society to address its “systemic, institutional” failure to tackle the issue. Mike Smith, the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) […]
EHRC harassment inquiry: Activists welcome report, but say rights approach is crucial
Disabled activists have welcomed the publication of a major new report on disability-related harassment, but have warned of the huge changes needed across an “institutionally disablist” society if it is to have any impact. Speaking after this week’s launch of the […]
EHRC harassment inquiry: ‘Culture of disbelief’ is preventing justice
Hundreds of thousands of disabled people are being subjected to disability-related harassment every year, but a “culture of disbelief” is preventing authorities from addressing the problem, according to a major new report. The Hidden in Plain Sight report by the Equality […]